Tobias Willer
+49 2664 25 242-0
info@blue-automation.de

The digital twin with the Mechatronics Concept Designer­

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The Mechatronics Concept Designer (MCD) is an application that is mainly used for virtual commissioning using a physical model and is ideal for creating digital twins. Our experience shows that the MCD is particularly suitable:
 

  • in the field of mechanical engineering / special machine construction
  • for error and risk avoidance in product development
  • for high product variance and frequent prototyping
  • under time pressure in product development and commissioning
  • for commissioning machines at remote locations
  • for feasibility and cycle time analyses with physics-based simulation

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Advantages of the software

The MCD makes it much easier for sales, design, electrics and software/automation technology to work together. This ensures cross-team efficiency and improved workflows. In addition, the software is easy to learn and use, which facilitates implementation. As the Mechatronics Concept Designer is part of the Siemens NX product group, it harmonizes perfectly with NX and other Siemens solutions, especially with regard to the seamless transfer of design data. The software is available both as a standalone version and as an add-on to NX. Further advantages are:

  • Simulation already available for sales without the need for the real system to exist
  • Simulation can be further refined in parallel with engineering until the digital twin can be put into virtual operation
  • Accelerates the market maturity of machines
  • Use of mechatronic concepts in the initial phase for feasibility analysis and validation
  • Customer change requests can be checked during ongoing operation
  • Integration of robots from leading manufacturers (ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, Stäubli, etc.)
  • Reachability, collision and cycle time tests with robots possible (in conjunction with the respective virtual robot controllers)
  • Virtual commissioning of robots through coupling with simulation tools from robot manufacturers (Fanuc Roboguide, ABB Robotstudio, Kuka Office Lite, etc.)
  • Accelerated real commissioning
  • Ideal for operator training

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Our advantages

Blue Automation has many years of experience as a key user of the Mechatronic Concept Designer. We are a Siemens reseller with extensive implementation experience, especially in the field of digital twins. Our company is the perfect embodiment of the symbiosis of Operation Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT), which is why we are also strongly supported by Siemens in our pioneering role as an official partner of Siemens AG and Siemens Digital Industries. As a “Trusted Advisor”, we focus on the benefits for the customer and always strive for efficient and successful project implementation. We see ourselves first and foremost as engineers and understand the requirements of both mechanical and electrical design, as we offer corresponding engineering services. An intensive examination of alternative software solutions from other providers enables us to make a well-founded assessment of when the use of the MCD offers the greatest advantages.

Man sitting at his laptop and working on an animation with the MCD
Creating a simulation of a system on a laptop with MCD

The digital twin with the Mechatronics Concept Designer

Scope of the software

  • Conception/design of machines and systems including: Mechanical design, Electrical design, Automation design
  • Physics-based simulation
  • Creation of digital twins to validate machine and automation concepts
  • Virtual commissioning (VIBN)
  • Full support of Functional Mockup Units (FMU) as building blocks for the digital Twin (FMU Version 2 and 3)
  • Integration of robots possible
  • Connection of common PLC and robot controllers (HiL / SiL)
  • Open interfaces to other tools:
    • Models from NX can be used directly
    • Electrical engineering can use model data directly to dimension sensors and drives
    • Automation designers can use cams and sequences from the model for software development
  • Mechatronics Concept Designer is part of the NX CAD solution in the Siemens portfolio, but is also available as a standalone version

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Our offer in relation to the Mechatronic Concept Designer

  • Needs analysis and consulting
  • Sale of software licenses (official Siemens reseller)
  • Creation of digital twins
  • Creation of digital behavior models of components (FMU / FMI) - see our service offering regarding FMI / FMU
  • Project implementation
  • Training courses
  • Accompanying services from other fields of activity, in particular commissioning, hardware design, PLC programming and robot engineering

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Examples / Case studies

  • Virtual validation of a gripper concept, which saved several weeks of time, as real grippers would each have had a delivery time of 3 weeks
  • Early detection of an error during the commissioning of robots using a digital twin, which prevented collisions during initial start-up
  • Development and validation of a standardized PLC program using a digital twin to avoid unpleasant surprises during real commissioning

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Application examples from Siemens

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Further links

Are you interested?
Please feel free to contact us.

 

blue automation GmbH
Hauptstraße 67
56477 Rennerod

+49 2664 25 242-0

 

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